Disclaimer: see chap 1

A/N: And the story continues...

Chapter 6

When we were 22 we went to Miami. We: Brian, Dave, Kennedy and me. That's when I became a great member of the Mile High Club. Delta Airlines, Flight 1109. Boston to Miami, March '93. Ken 'Kennedy' Fuller. Hazel eyes, Chem TA. We all graduated cum laude. But it wasn't enough for me, I needed more. I transferred to Berkley UC for my Masters in theoretical physics. Around that time I also started to work for the coroner's office in San Francisco. I always wanted to solve puzzles, well a body is a big puzzle. And for every puzzle there is a solution. I learned a lot there. I came in contact with the Frisco Crime Lab. Now that looked like an interesting job…

When I was 26, I applied for a job as a CSI. After one year of training, I became a CSI level 1, and a very good one I might say. Sam didn't like the fact that I worked with the dead, but hey dead people can't harm you. They are quiet and peaceful, at least that is, when their case has closure. I just loved that job.

The next thing I remember was when I was 28. I was recently promoted to a CSI 2 and attended a lecture at the University. That was the first time I saw him. He gave a lecture about some bugs and timelines, now that was interesting. The bugs no not really, but the thing with the timelines…wow! I was amazed by the way he spoke and how he moved. He really knew what he was talking about. After the lecture I talked to the man and found out that his name was Gil Grissom. Dr. Gil Grissom as he corrected himself. I laughed, it reminded me of Bond, James Bond. We talked for a few hours about the most interesting subject of them all: work. I learned that Grissom would come and work for our Crime Lab. Not permanently, but for 6 months, to learn new methods.

Those 6 months flew by. He told me that he would call me, just to chat (I really don't know why he mentioned that last part). And indeed, once or twice a week he called, just to chat. He talked about his new cases and I talked about mine. Or an interesting technique to solve a problem. Or about a new experiment. Or just to say who bothered him at work. From my point of view, I could say that he had a lot of problems with a guy named Ecklie, dayshift's supervisor. Grissom was supervisor of a great team. Wait, I can remember the names: Nick, a guy from Texas, Warrick a local, Catherine a former stripper (I didn't know stripper was a town, but hey this is Grissom, you know) and Greg the lab rat. Everything went just fine, they worked great together and looked like a happy family. At my own work everything went well, I did a good job. Personal life, not that good. I just broke up with Shaz. So as always work life: great, personal life: sucked at the moment.

I'm 29 years old and still living for the job. My current status is single. I dated over the years, but after Shaz and I broke up, I didn't have a long-term relationship. I fooled myself by telling myself that I didn't have time for it, work always comes first. I'm almost a CSI 3 now. I love the work although the cases sometimes really get to me. But I still can distance myself from them. I try to help the victims by solving their case, hoping I could help the families to find some closure. But, I don't know, sometimes I feel like this is all that my job could offer. I've lost the challenge. Most of the cases are a slam dunk, no more mystery, no more speculation, all the evidence is there and case closed. And then my cell rings…

"Sidle."

"Sara, it's Gil. I need you here." Okay, I always knew he could be pretty vague with information, but this is just too vague.

"Grissom, okay, 2 things: 1 you're joking right and 2: why?"

"Do I ever joke, Sara?"

"Griss, do I really have to answer that question?"

"No, but still, I need you, it's urgent, I can't tell you more, I want you to come to Vegas and work here."

"Yeah, sure, why not, I will drop everything, leave my family behind and run to you, Grissom, why would I even think about it?"

"Sara, you are the only person I trust, one of my colleagues is in trouble, I don't want I.A. to interfere, I want you here to investigate what happened, and if you like it here, well, maybe you could stay. I know I ask a lot, but I would never do such a thing if it wasn't urgent. Think about it Sara and let me know what your decision is."

"Fine, I'll let you know. Oh and Griss, yeah, everything is fine with me, thank you for asking."

And with that I hang up my phone. Well this is nice to start your day. Good morning, today you have to make a decision that will probably change your life, further the weather is nice and warm, enjoy your day. Typical Grissom to do something like that. I really need to think. Good that it's my day off. I get into my car and drive to the only place that gives me time to think.

"Hi mom." I started to call Sam mom since my 15th birthday. She really is a mom to me, she really deserves that title.

"Hi Ripcurl, how are you?." Ah, the famous name mom always uses when she sees me. When I was 15 I was obsessed with surfing. All I could talk about was surfing. One day I found a flyer of Ripcurl, it's the name of a company that manufactures everything that has something to do with surfing. I wanted clothing from Ripcurl, a board from Ripcurl, towels from Ripcurl and if it was even possible PJ's. Mom found it so funny that from that day on she called me Ripcurl, because when she mentioned that name, she would have my full attention.

"Um, fine I guess." I wasn't really sure whether I was good or not, so fine would do it.

"Come on hon, sit down, you want coffee? Of course you want coffee! So spill it!" Sam always could tell when I needed to talk, it was like a sixth sense she had. And she is the source of my coffee-addiction. She said that you can talk about everything with a good, steaming cup of coffee.

"Well, I don't know where to start. Grissom called today to ask me something and I don't know what to do."

"No… Grissom called to ask you something, well that's new! And what scientific question he had today? You know I can't help you with that, but I can try, call me professor." I laughed, she always makes me laugh. She was right, Grissom often called to ask me a scientific question and sometimes I actually could answer the question. Sometimes he called to talk about a book he read. He gave some quotes and I had to guess. Not a fun game, I don't like literature that much. Sure I know my writers, but that's it. I read most of the classics but I don't like the newer ones, and I especially dislike most of the new detective novels because the forensics are all wrong. I like to read, but I read forensic books or magazines. I even read the entire history of forensics. Grissom had to admit that even he didn't read the whole book. I know, sounds freaky.

"No, mom, today he actually called me to HELP him. One of his colleagues is in trouble, he wants me over there to investigate the whole thing. He didn't want IA to interfere. And he added: 'if you like it here, maybe you can stay and work here'. I don't know what to do. I have my work here, my family, friends…. Vegas is…well, Sin City. I don't know any one there except Grissom, no friends, no family around. But Vegas is Sin City, it's a new environment, new cases, new lab, new toys to play with."

"Well Ripcurl, that's a pretty hard decision. And you already put pro's against the con's. But what does your heart say?"

"It says that I would be stupid if I declined to work in the country's number two crime lab. Stupid if I didn't take that chance. But also stupid to just leave my family behind."

"Honey, I really think you should take this opportunity. If you really don't like it there, you can always come back. I think your boss will take you back anytime. And for us…. We could come and visit you, you could come and visit us. I've never been to Vegas, you could actually show me around.

"Hmm, maybe I could do that. It's a big decision, I should leave tomorrow or the next day, I don't have a place to stay, I don't know what to expect. There are two things I know: 1. I know at least one person: Grissom and 2: I know the job description. But I know nothing about the task Grissom asked me to do. And investigate a team member…If, and I do say if I would start to work there, that would be a nice introduction, don't you think. 'Hello, Sara Sidle, CSI 2, expertise: materials and element analysis, nice to meet you and oh, I also investigate whatever it might be that you or your co-worker had done.' Aaarrrggghhh, I don't know!"

"Go, Sara. Just go and find out. If it is not good enough for you then come back. You have my full support. I mean it, go for it. Try this. The only thing you don't like about it, is the fact that you don't have all the evidence, isn't it? Ignore the evidence for once and go with your feeling!" My mother says dramatically. She could be one hell of an actress if she wanted. Instead she prefers the books of her little bookstore downtown.

"Yeah, maybe I should. Thanks for the talk. You once again cleared my vision, 'professor'. I better get going, if I really want to go I need to do some things. Bye mom, I'll call you tonight." And with that I was gone.

I went to see my boss and told him I transferred to Las Vegas. He already knew, Gil had called him too and asked him to prepare the papers for my transfer. Surprised? No not really, that is typically Gil Grissom. Excuse me, DR. Gil Grissom. My boss wished me good luck and told me that I could come back whenever I wanted. After that I went to see Brian. I explained everything and he told me the same. The last stop that I needed to make was at my apartment. I called the owner to terminate my contract. I putted everything in boxes and stored them and my furniture in my mom's garage. I packed a bag with just enough clothing, a few books, my toiletries and in the front pocket I put my little red crayon. I never forgot. The only thing I needed to do was to make a reservation. One ticket, from San Francisco to Los Angeles. I told my mom that when I arrived and found a place to stay she should send over my CD's and boxes.

Thanks for reading...as always: R&R please :-) ... next chapter will be up soon!

Gryffindor: 15 years can pass real quickly ;-)